Kenneth Copeland Ministries CEO Pastor George Pearsons had just dropped his wife, Pastor Terri, off at the grocery store. While she was shopping, he drove across the street to fill the car with gas. When he got out of the car, he noticed a woman behind him who was also filling her car with gas. Her son who was a toddler was not listening to her and kept getting out of his seat. She shouted at him: “Sit back down in your seat right now!” At that moment, Pastor George, who pastors Eagle Mountain International Church, heard the Lord say, I would appreciate it if My children would do the same thing.
You Are Seated With Jesus
What was the Lord really saying to Pastor George that day? The Holy Spirit used this real-life situation to convey an important revelation—God desires and longs for Christians to take the authority they have in Christ over the devil. If you’ve been wondering if you have authority in Christ to tell the devil to sit down and get back in his seat, you certainly do!
Why? According to Ephesians 2:4-6, you have been seated with Jesus and have authority over the works of darkness because of what Jesus has done for you:
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”
When God raised Jesus from the dead, God seated Jesus “in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority” (1 Peter 3:22). Then, when you were born again, God seated you with Jesus.
Jesus suffered for you. He hung on the cross for you. He died for you. He went to hell for you. He was raised from the dead for you. God raised you up with Him. Now, you are positionally seated with Him at the right hand of the Father with the power and responsibility of exercising authority over darkness!
This means you don’t have to spend your days complaining about what the devil is doing in your life, and you can begin operating in your seat of authority today.
Exercise Your Authority in Christ
Before Jesus left this earth, He warned the disciples (and us) regarding life in this earthly realm: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Jesus wasn’t forecasting doom and gloom, though He was acknowledging that we will face trials and difficulties; He was encouraging the disciples that in Him and with His authority, we, too, can overcome what comes against us.
Just like that mother Pastor George encountered had to exercise her authority as a parent, you have to exercise your authority as a believer in order to enforce the victory Jesus won for you at the cross. .
How do you do that? You can demand, by speaking God’s Word, that every situation contrary to THE BLESSING comes into alignment.
As believers, we must exercise our authority in order to ensure God’s will is being done in our lives, in our families, in our communities and in our nation. Especially in these times, we need to exercise authority over situations in our lives. The Word of God tells us we should exercise authority in several specific areas.
Where Can You Use Your Authority In Christ?
God gave us authority to overcome and defeat the devil and every one of his evil works, and that is good news!
Jesus said, “I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you” (Luke 10:18-19).
What challenges are you facing right now that need victory? Is someone you know fighting a battle against the enemy? You can go to God’s Word and find His promises for every one of your concerns.You can then speak the Word and the Name of Jesus to the situations and circumstances, and they will change. If you ask anything in Jesus’ Name, He will do it (John 14:13)!
Below are six specific areas in which you can exercise your authority in Christ:
- You have authority in Christ to call in the finances you need.
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38).
- You have authority in Christ to defeat sickness and disease.
“One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases” (Luke 9:1)
- You have authority in Christ to declare God’s Word over your family and friends for their salvation.
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them…. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1, 3-4).
- You have authority in Christ to overcome evil in the unseen realm.
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm” (Ephesians 6:11-13).
- You have authority in Christ to put your angels to work ministering for you about whatever you need.
“And God never said to any of the angels, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’ Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:13-14).
- You have authority in Christ to pray for our leaders.
“Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2)
Take your authority in Christ right now with this confession of faith based on God’s Word:
As a born-again believer, I am seated with Christ in heavenly places. I have authority over evil spirits, sickness, disease, lack and debt. I take authority over fear, and command it to go from me now. I plead the blood of Jesus over my family, my business, my church, my house and my money. As a tither, the devourer is rebuked in the Name which is above every name, the Name of Jesus!
Are you ready to exercise your authority in Christ to enforce God’s will in your life, family, community or nation? God has supernaturally positioned you in Him and given you the tools of His Word, His blood and His Name. Don’t let another day go by without telling the devil to sit back down and get back under your feet—where he belongs!
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